This day offers one of the best descents on the Haute Route, that of the Val d'Arpette. From the Trient hut a quick, steep descent down the Trient Glacier leads to the Col des Ecandies, and to the Val d'Arpette and Champex. The Val d'Arpette usually offers an incredible run down cold, north facing slopes. The total descent from the Col des Ecandies to the town of Champex is almost 4400 vertical feet.

We continue by taxi to Bourg-St-Pierre.

From Bourg-St-Pierre, we continue on foot initially carrying skis before skinning up to the Cabane du Mont Vélan. Depending on snow levels, we usually can ski after about an hour or two of walking. Once on ski we enter into the deep valley between Mont Vélan and the Grand Combin. The last couple thousand feet climb steeply up to the hut. This is a relatively new hut and resembles a space-age ship's prow. The views across the valley towards the Grand Combin are impressive.